Introducing Honorary Consul General Simon Arrigo

Mr. Simon Arrigo was appointed to Honorary Consul General of Finland in Malta in October 2019.

When and how did you start as Honorary Consul General of Finland in Malta? 

I had been acting as locum tenens for a number years and officially appointed in October 2019.

What is the best thing in your work as Honorary Consul General? 

Actually, meeting and dealing with Finnish people is a pleasure. I feel there are many connections and synergies between Maltese and Finnish people in personal and business life. We find the Finnish very skilled in certain sectors of business and mostly respectable and trustworthy so that makes things much easier and more of a pleasure.

What is Finland known for in the region you cover? 

Apart from Lapland and Father Christmas, which I had the pleasure of visiting when I was 5 years old, Finland is more and more known for the skills in the tech sector, and Slush conference.

Honorary Consul General Simon Arrigo with a Finnish delegation at Sigma iGaming Summit November 2019.

What does your region have to offer to Finnish people and Finnish companies? 

Malta offers a warm climate throughout the year for Finnish people. A safe environment and a European mentality where Finnish people feel comfortable both on holiday and when relocating here for work or retirement. Finnish companies can benefit from a favourable tax scheme, a hub for technology and innovation, and a market size that can be used as test bed for products and service research.

Which Finnish expression or habit you like the most and why? 

I love the Sauna although it is not common in Malta due to our warm temperatures, but it is the first thing I look for when booking a hotel in a northern country.